When Was The Last Time You Saw A Half Dollar?

SENIOR MOMENTS

I love those chunky, satisfyingly heavy coins. Although the 50-cent piece has been produced nearly every year since 1794, circulation has declined significantly.

Half dollar coins contained 90 percent silver through 1964, when they were changed to a layered composition of a copper core between two cupro-nickel faces. As silver prices increased over the years, it became worthwhile to melt down coins for their bullion value. Only the Kennedy half dollar continued to be minted in a 40 percent silver-clad composition, until 1970.

Sure wish I had some. And here's a bit of trivia for you: including using a half dollar, there are 293 ways to make change for one dollar.

Payson Senior Center and Thrift Store

The menu for the monthly birthday lunch on July 18 will be pot roast, stewed vegetables, salad, wheat roll, birthday cake, ice cream and beverage. If your birthday is in July, please put your name in the Birthday Barrel, to be eligible for a gift drawing.

The Alzheimer's Support Group will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, in the Center Dining Room, 514 W. Main St.

Art Cobo is volunteer of the month for July. Art is a member of the Activities Committee.

Winners of door prizes in the Senior Thrift Store's July First Friday on Main Street activities were Lou Macalister, Marty Meyer and Bart Worthington. The Thrift Store will participate in First Friday activities from 4 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 3.

Payson Regional Senior Circle

Craft classes are offered from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Circle, 215 N. Beeline Highway. Persons interested in working on a quilt to be used as a Senior Circle fund-raiser may register by calling (928) 472-9290. Donna Stith will lead the quilting sessions.

The American Cancer Society, in partnership with Senior Circle, offers free wigs, scarves, hats and turbans to cancer patients. Call the above number for information.

Penny Navis-Schmidt will lead the Restless Legs Support Group meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Senior Circle.

Mark Wednesday, Aug. 1, for Dessert with the Director, to be held at 12:30 p.m. in the Senior Circle. Dee Pederson, Infection Control, will speak to the group.